Dark of kNight (16 page)

She nodded and smiled. “Julie,” she said kneeling down and taking my hands, tears streaming down her beautiful face. “Remember how I told you that you are like family to us?” She sniffled and I nodded. “Well, you are. Martin and Thomas met a few years before he met your mother. Thomas and I were already married, but we all formed a very tight knit bond. We knew that we needed each other. Everyone that we have been close to in our little group are Lycans. No one else knows what we are. We fit into society very well; however, we hide our secret equally as well.” She paused and glanced away for a moment, and then her watery eyes returned to mine.

“Why do you think I was so happy to see you and Daniel together?” Tears ran from her eyes. “I love my son so much. I never wanted anything more for him than to find one of his kind to love him and be the mate he deserved. I watched him daily struggling with the loneliness. It was torment for me. We tried desperately to find a mate for him. There was no one that he would choose. We just wanted him to be happy. It was as though he had already given his heart away. He lived in such torment for so long.” She paused for a slight moment. “Then, you came home. It made perfect sense to me. I love you like a daughter, as much as I love Casey and Daniel. I watched you grow up from a baby. I saw such tenderness in you, the same as I saw in your mother. I know why your father fell in love with her, you remind me of her in so many ways. It is not a wonder that Daniel’s heart belonged to you. Do you know honestly, how happy I am? I could not have prayed and asked God to send such a wonderful angel to him as you are.”

Tears flowed freely from my eyes. I reached down and threw my arms around her. We held each other rocking back and forth crying tears of joy. Charlotte and her family had truly been there for me. I never knew how much until now. I never noticed how much they wanted me to be a part of their family, even Daniel. After all those years, I never realized that I was the cause of his anguish. How could I have ever known? He knew all along what he wanted-and it was me.

After the crying stopped, we both sat back and wiped our eyes. Our faces grew into smiles and we shared a little laughter. The tormented years for all of us had ended. It may not have come the way my father wanted it to, but I knew he would’ve been pleased. I could feel his presence next to me. I felt his loving arms around me. My eyes closed and could see his face as he smiled at me. Somehow, the heavens blessed me in that moment. I could hear him softly as he spoke, “
Julie, I am so very proud of you. I love you so much.”
I opened my eyes and smiled. More tears flowed softly down my face. Charlotte reached over and touched my face wiping the tears away.

“I will tell you what,” her hand gently patted my knee. “We should go inside, have a glass of good old fashion southern iced tea, and a piece of Rose’s Georgia Pecan Pie.”

“Sounds good to me,” I said, rising to my feet.

“You know, if there are any more surprises like the ones I have had in the last few days, I just might take on a business venture as a caterer.” She glanced at me with a serious look on her face. I couldn’t help the laughter as it escaped me.

“What? I am being serious. I cannot take much more of this.” A smile crossed her lips and with her arm around my shoulder, she laughed with me as we walked inside.

The hours passed quickly with Charlotte and me. It was probably the most time we had ever spent alone together. We laughed together as she reminisced over the funniest times she had with Thomas. She shared openly about their lives as Lycans, which made me wonder what my new life as a Lycan would be.

Charlotte shared the intimate details of being a Lycan female, of their sensitivity, nurturing and loving ways. She spoke of the bonding, which I already knew from Daniel. One of the facts which stood out in my mind was there would be times I wouldn't be able to distinguish my own needs from his.

I listened carefully to every word she spoke, letting myself be the student and absorb years of important information that I missed. It was a joy to see her enthusiasm as she spoke proudly of her race, no, our race. Her voice was ever so soft and gentle. Then she said something that shocked me.

“There is a very strong attraction between you and Daniel, one that I have never seen the likes of before. When you two are around one another you give off a certain scent.”

“An odor?” I interrupted and feeling a little embarrassed.

“No.” She smiled and laughed. “It is more or less like a certain type of fragrance. A light and spicy scent. Humans couldn't detect it. It is actually a mating scent to Lycans.

Other Lycans are aware of it. It does not bother them because the scent does not attract them. Everyone has his or her own scent. It is like a pheromone to each of you. The stronger the attraction, the stronger the scent becomes. I want you to be careful,” she warned, her cheerful voice stern.

“You must understand there are laws we live by and they cannot be broken. Daniel may be hesitant to tell you this right now, but I feel you need to know.” She paused collecting her thoughts. “It is very difficult to explain. He cannot have you until you are married.”

“I don’t understand. Do you mean sexually?” At first, I thought maybe this was a little old fashioned, but I saw the seriousness in her face.

She nodded. “Yes. There are many reasons for this and I cannot go into them right now. However, do not tempt him and do not give in to him. Julie, you can be very seductive to him without even realizing it. As much as I hate to say this about my own son, he can be as seductive to you without even knowing it. You will eventually burn with intensity for one another, and you both must fight it. He knows this. Just trust me on this one thing, please. You will understand why this is so important later on. As I said, we are spiritual creatures. Just know it is a life and death situation.”

“Charlotte,” I paused for a moment reflecting back to how I felt with the first kiss. “How do I? I mean… what can I … ” I broke off as Casey walked in the room.

“Hey,” I said brightly.

“Hello, darling,” Charlotte spoke softly.

Casey breezed by us without saying a word she ran up the stairs to her bedroom and slammed the door. Charlotte and I looked at one another, then got up and went up the stairs to check on Casey.

“Casey?” Charlotte said knocking on the bedroom door lightly. “Darling, what is wrong?”

“Nothing! I just need to be by myself right now,” she shrieked.

“Casey, let me in!” Charlotte pleaded.

“Mom! Please!”

“Darling, please! Honey, I am your mother. Whatever it is, you know you can talk to me.”

There was no answer. I touched Charlotte’s arm and looking into her worried face. “Just give her time to calm down.” She nodded and we both went back down stairs.

For the remainder of the evening, Casey stayed locked in her room. She didn’t come down for dinner. Thomas tried to talk to her through the door-her response was still the same.

We all went to bed that night worried about Casey. I lay on my back looking at the dark ceiling in my room, wondering what was so bad that she didn’t even want to talk it over with me. Casey was always the bright and cheerful one. Whatever happened had to be bad to make her withdraw from the ones that loved her the most.

Rolling over on my side, I stared out the window into the night sky. My thoughts ran back to Nathaniel. Had he done something or said something to Casey to make her act this way? There was no way I was going to know until she found a safe place within herself to talk about it. Until then, I had to be patient and wait.

Just one more day, and I would see Daniel again. So many thoughts ran through my head. I smiled as I remembered Charlotte’s words, which I was grateful for and very thankful that she was there. So many years had passed that I couldn't retrace. For now, from this moment on there was no going back. There was only going forward in a new life.

Now I knew the truth of the new life I live; I am a Lycan. I planned to live it to the fullest. To enjoy everything that this new life has to offer. In one moment of loss, I gained so much more. I never imagined such bliss.

NINE

Tuesday came and went with a blur. Today, Casey appeared to be herself again, as if nothing was wrong. She wouldn’t discuss whatever it was that had upset her.

Yesterday evening, I made an attempt to talk to her concerning the relationship with Nathaniel. She didn’t want to discuss Nathaniel and even became irritated with me for bringing up the subject. Through the tears she shed, she told me that I wouldn’t understand and to let it go. Her defensive behavior only increased when I asked her why he was so different. I knew the relationship between the two of them had grown into a strong bond. She was protecting him, a true nature of a Lycan female. Protecting those you love even if it meant losing your own life. This type of behavior isn’t a choice for us; it’s a part of us.

Lycans love like no others. The males and females both love with deep emotions and bonds. I could understand why the Lycans are the protectors of the humans. We will fight to the death to protect those we love because it’s what we believe. The natural instinct of a thousand year old love built into our genetic makeup.

Yes, Casey was in love with Nathaniel and whatever he was, she would protect him at all costs. I couldn’t fault her because of my own love for Daniel. It was my only hope that Nathaniel loved her in the same way.

I made the decision to focus on believing in the brighter side of my own life. Daniel was only moments away from me. I paced back and forth in the airport waiting to see him walk through those doors. I kept praying that I would keep my dignity. After all, it wouldn't make a good impression if Dr. Martin Knight’s daughter were to make a fool of herself in public. I sat down but couldn't calm my rush of excitement.

To distract myself, I watched a young mother wrestling with her twin boys. They were both climbing on her as if she was a jungle gym. She would no sooner have one seated when the other started climbing all over her lap. My distraction didn’t last long. Peopled flooded through the opened doors. Immediately I stood, my heart raced while tiny beads of moisture formed on my hands. I fervently looked for that gorgeous man of mine and then there he was. My heart gave a giant leaped. Beautiful, tall, dark and handsome all rolled into one package. A package that was smooth as silk chocolate melting in your mouth. He hadn’t yet seen me. Daniel was talking to another man who was a little shorter than he was. Once they walked through the doors, it was as if I couldn’t move.

Daniel glanced up and looked directly at me. My heart went into over drive. His huge smile showed off his perfectly white teeth. “JULIE!” he called with his arms held open wide.

“Oh, damn the dignity!” I hissed under my breath and made a sprint straight into his embrace.

My arms wrapped around his neck as the force of my body slammed into his. He let out a chuckle as he balanced himself and wrapped his arms around me tightly.

“I will never leave you again. I have missed you terribly,” he said setting my feet down on the ground.

“I’ve definitely missed you more.”

“Mmm… ” he hummed, “I really,” he pulled me closer to his lean body. “
Really don’t think so
,” he whispered across my lips.

Fire screamed throughout my body when his lips slowly touched mine. For a moment, I forgot where we were. I heard a low, “Uh-hum” when someone cleared their throat.

Daniel released me and we turned toward the two people who stood in front of us. Daniel smiled a sheepish grin to the man.

“Jason and Heather, this is Julie Knight. Julie, this is Dr. Mrs. Jason McLaughlin.”

“Oh, the pleasure’s all mine. Daniel hasn’t stopped talking about you, not for a moment.” He held his hand out to me. The first thing I noticed other than his brown curly hair, was his accent.

“It’s certainly nice to meet you. Your accent, is it Scottish?”

“No, Lass, I’m afraid I’m one hundred percent Irish. Bred, born and raised. Ya’ know I grew up with a baby bottle in one hand and an Irish whiskey in the other,” he said laughing.

“Well, I’m sure you did just fine,” I said laughing.

“Yeah well, me own mum couldn’t wean me from the bottle. I still carry me whiskey flask ‘round with me wherever I go.” He patted his coat pocket.

“Oh, don’t let him fool you. I can still drink him under the table at the local pub. My name’s Heather.” The small, attractive petite woman said holding her hand out. She couldn’t have been more than five foot four or five. Small round face and her red hair was close cut. She looked like a little fairy. Smiling, I extended my hand.

“So, did you drive?” Daniel asked. I shook my head. “Oh,” he nodded. I pointed toward the front door to the limo that waited.

The best thing about the ride back to the Maxwell’s wasn’t just the laughter we all shared, but it was that Daniel and I were together. It felt good to have him within my reach again.

Jason and Heather appeared to be a perfect match. They were full of energy as they kept Daniel and me laughing. It was impossible to imagine Daniel working around those two and completing any work. I could see how they’d become such good friends. I enjoyed listening to the two of them talk. I adored Jason’s heavy Irish accent.

Soon we pulled up in front of the house. We all departed from the limo and unloaded the luggage. I paused behind Daniel and waited for him while he opened the door to the house. It was customary to let the guest enter first. Jason and Heather walked in. I heard her gasp when she walked through the home. I passed through the door as Daniel followed.

“You might want to turn left around the corner. That would be the great room.” Daniel said.

The expressions on their faces were priceless. Heather’s eyes were wide as she looked around at the paintings and out the window that overlooked Charlotte’s flower garden. I took a step to follow them around the corner when I felt a hand around my arm. Daniel pulled me around swiftly.

Forcefully he grabbed my shoulders and pushed my back against the wall so hard it shook the pictures. His hand went to my face, while his fingers went slowly around to the back of my neck pulling my head closer to his.